@snowleopard: This zoo seems quite interesting. Do you think that it matters quality wise that it is not accredited by the AZA? I know that some people here don't think that it matters, but it still seems to me like an unaccredited zoo is like an unaccredited college. It may be that I have been thoroughly indoctrinated by AZA propaganda.
From the photos this place looks quite nice and I know that they have lots of rare species from the reviews that folks have posted, but something still makes me queasy about their not being accredited and I'm not sure that I would visit here because of that. Would not visiting here due to lack of accreditation be a mistake in your opinion?
David, I have pursued this idea with Allen Nyhuis, author of "America's Best Zoos". In our weekly emails I have often stated to him that it would make sense to not include Alaska Zoo or Wildlife World Zoo in his book because neither facility is AZA-accredited. The book "What Zoos Can Do" profiles the 80 best zoos in Europe and to be included the author Anthony Sheridan excluded any non-EAZA accredited zoos and I often feel as if Allen and Jon should have followed that pattern.
However, Wildlife World Zoo has added 3 and soon to be 4 aquariums in the past couple of years...and there are plans for a 55-acre extension that will include some kind of safari journey and the place takes at least 5 hours to tour. There are at least 5 different rides and the establishment is quite focused on the commercial aspects of the business, and I believe that accreditation was taken away due to the breeding of white tigers. The animal collection is amazing: a reptile house, 17 species of primates, loads of hoofstock paddocks, a fantastic assortment of critters in the small mammal house, aquariums, and endless rows of bird aviaries. The downside is that much of the exhibitry is poor with many chainlink fenced cages and even the really nice aquarium tanks are tainted by having so many inhabitants crammed into the habitats. I am conflicted about this zoo like perhaps no other that I've ever seen, as the animal collection is immense and worth seeing but there are issues with general husbandry and the majority of the exhibits are subpar. Over the next few days I'll gradually upload at least another 200 photos and you'll see what I mean.
